As Kenya prepares to mark Mazingira Day on Friday, October 10, 2025, Nairobi County Environment Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria has issued an update on the health of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga while relaying his message on environmental action.

In a post on X dated Thursday, October 9, 2025, Mosiria stated, “I’ve just spoken with Baba, and he is in high spirits. He has urged all Kenyans to plant trees in large numbers tomorrow during Mazingira Day. Wewe unapanda miti ukiwa wapi?”

The message was accompanied by an archival photo of Mosiria and Odinga holding a soccer ball amid greenery.

ODM dispels health speculations

The statement comes amid efforts by ODM to address rumors regarding Odinga’s health. ODM Communications Director Philip Etale reinforced this narrative in a post on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, saying, “I have spoken with HE Raila Odinga just under five minutes ago. He is jovial and happy. He said, ‘I am seeing people spreading so much propaganda online; let’s keep praying for them.’”

Etale added that Odinga sent greetings to Kenyans and plans to return to the country soon. His remarks followed growing speculation triggered by Odinga’s absence from public events, with his secretariat attributing his travel to a routine international trip.

ODM has accused political rivals, including impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa, of spreading misinformation. ODM spokesman Dennis Onyango said on Sunday, October 5, 2025, that claims alleging Odinga was seeking medical treatment abroad were false. The party also criticized the use of bloggers and AI-generated images to mislead the public during Odinga’s African Union Commission bid.

Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Kipruto Arap Kirwa weighed in on October 6, 2025, during a local TV appearance, describing ODM’s statements as “unsolicited” and calling for respect for Odinga’s privacy. He referenced the leader’s historical transparency regarding his health, including hospitalizations such as for Covid-19 in 2021.

National tree planting drive

Mazingira Day was established under the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2024, signed by President William Ruto. The day replaces Utamaduni Day to prioritize environmental conservation.

The government targets planting 15 billion trees by 2032. The Ministry of Education has directed all 35,570 public and private primary schools to plant 71 million fruit trees on Friday. Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok issued a circular on Thursday, October 9, instructing schools to conduct planting activities from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

President Ruto and Cabinet members will lead the exercise by returning to their former primary schools to plant trees and participate in clean-up activities aimed at enhancing community engagement.